Underground Power

Western Power targets areas where the overhead network is due, or will soon be due, for replacement. Once Western Power has identified a project area, it approaches the relevant local government with an offer to convert that area to underground power. Western Power makes offers to local governments in priority order, based on the need to upgrade the network. 

The cost for different suburbs and projects will vary depending on the unique site conditions, constraints imposed by ground conditions, and the number of properties within the nominated precinct.

Western Power conduct an open tender process for each project and select the best contractor based on their selection model. The City has no involvement in this process. If you wish to discuss this matter further, please contact Western Power, please click here to be taken to their Underground Power website.

Under the TUPP, the costs of the program are shared between Western Power, Local Government and the State Government with total costs determined by Western Power. The State Government’s contribution is tiered based on socio-economic factors.

The City has adopted a ‘user pays’ model to recoup its contribution from properties directly benefitting. Residents are required to pay a proportion of the network cost, regardless of whether the resident’s service connection is undergrounded or not. Residents without an underground connection will also need to pay a connection cost. 

The City has used a dollar per kilo-volt-ampere (KVA) allocation methodology for the financial model to determine the Network Charge to Property Owners.

The network has been designed to meet the expected energy requirements for the area and this is achieved by allocating a KVA to each property type. The total KVA’s are added up together and then divided by the total project network cost to get a dollar per KVA. The dollar per KVA is then multiplied against an assigned expected KVA for that property which results in the total network fee for that property.

A connection charge is then calculated based on the connection type for each property and then added to the network charge to arrive at the full project cost required to be paid by the property owner.

SUPP projects are based on a user-pays principle, where those benefitting are those required to pay a contribution. The benefits of the program are received by the State Government agencies (through upgrade of their infrastructure) and the ratepayers (through improved reliability, efficiency of services and improved property values).

Local governments are not the asset owners, do not receive any direct benefits, and therefore do not contribute to the cost of the project (outside of contributions required for City-owned properties). Funding such activities out of operational budgets would place upward pressure on rates paid by all property owners in The City.

Western Power is contributing 88% of the network cost. Ratepayers are required to contribute the remaining 12%. This equates to a network charge of $2,078 per residential property. Businesses are charged a variable network charge based on the demand they place on the network. 

Pensioners and seniors who have the following concession cards may be eligible for underground power rebates under the Rates and Charges (Rebates and Deferments) Act 1992:

• Pensioner Concession Card (up to 50% discount)
• State Concession Card (up to 50% discount)
• WA Seniors Card with a Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (up to 50% discount)
• WA Seniors Card only (up to 25% discount, to a maximum of $100).

Holders of the above cards (except those who only have a WA Seniors Card) may also be eligible to defer paying their underground power charge. This means the charge remains as a debt on the property until the property is sold. It does not incur interest charges.

You can also access the Apply for a pensioners or seniors rebate web page or the Pensioners and Seniors Concessions Scheme fact sheet for more information.

Please see below Doubleview Project Zones which includes estimated start and completion dates.

Yes. Most of the cost of undergrounding power is laying new underground cables in the street and installing new street lighting. Those properties which have an existing pole to pillar connection e.g. an underground cable within their property from an overhead street network via green dome either within their own property or an adjoining property, will be required to contribute towards the overall cost of the project in the form of network cost.

Any property, where a person resides who is registered as having a medical condition which necessitates constant power supply, will be given special consideration when the changeover is programmed. The affected resident, or their carer, needs to contact Western Power or the contractor so that arrangements can be made to carry out the changeover without risk to the affected person’s health or welfare.